Israeli Advertising Company Found to Distribute Spyware

It has been revealed that the advertising network of the Israeli digital advertising company Discover-Tech was used to track users and spread the Candiru spyware. Research showed that the advertisements targeted sensitive organizations such as Al Jazeera employees, the US Department of Defense, and the UN.

Research Results and Scope

Research conducted by Citizen Lab and Confiant revealed that Discover-Tech used its advertising network to track users. The company's ads were published on more than 120,000 websites and 75,000 mobile applications.

Targeted Institutions and Individuals

Masked as ordinary product promotions, the spy ads targeted many individuals, including Al Jazeera employees. It was determined that spyware was infected onto 45 devices belonging to Al Jazeera using this method between 2024 and 2025.

Danger in the Networks of Global Institutions

Jerome Dangu, co-founder of Confiant, stated that the ads were also viewed on the networks of sensitive institutions such as the US Department of Defense, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the International Criminal Court.

Taken Security Measures

Following the released reports, Google removed the company from its advertising platforms for violating policies. IAB Europe, the umbrella organization of the European digital advertising industry, temporarily suspended Discover-Tech's approved vendor status.